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Quick Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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A bright, buttery, and perfectly garlicky shrimp pasta with a zing of lemon, ready in under 30 minutes. This creamy lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta is a comforting yet fresh dinner idea perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz linguine or spaghetti
  • Salt, for pasta water
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions (usually 9-11 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, season shrimp with paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tbsp butter and let it melt, swirling to coat the pan. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Add lemon zest and juice, stirring constantly. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to thicken slightly. If too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a splash at a time.
  5. Stir in Parmesan until melted and sauce is smooth. Return shrimp to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly. Add the last tablespoon of butter for extra silkiness. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the noodles are well coated. If the sauce seems thick, loosen with a bit more pasta water.
  7. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the pasta. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Do not overcook the shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Add garlic after butter melts but before cream to avoid bitterness. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Add lemon juice after cream starts to thicken to prevent curdling. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-grated. Salt pasta water well for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, lemon garlic butter shrimp, creamy shrimp pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://milacook.com/quick-creamy-lemon-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-dinner-idea/